Manti Te'o And the Girlfriend Who Really Wasn't - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Extra Points

Manti Te'o And the Girlfriend Who Really Wasn't

Updated:

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame says a story about Manti Te'o's girlfriend dying, which he said inspired him to play better as he helped the Fighting Irish get to the BCS title game, turned out to be a hoax apparently perpetrated against the linebacker.

The university issued a news release Wednesday after Deadspin.com reported it could find no record of Lennay Kekua existing.

The university says that Notre Dame coaches were informed by Te'o and his parents on Dec. 26 that Te'o had been the victim of what appeared to be a hoax. Someone using a fictitious name "apparently ingratiated herself" with Te'o, the school said, then conspired with others to lead him to believe she had died of leukemia.

The university said "the proper authorities" are investigating a "very cruel deception."

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

  • Extra PointsExtra Points

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:46 AM EDT2013-06-19 05:46:03 GMT
    Legh won the 2004 Ironman Coeur d'Alene and returns this year to compete in Sunday's race for the first time since that victory. The Australian gave a talk to Team Blaze at Fleet Feet on Tuesday.
    Chris Legh won the 2004 Ironman Coeur d'Alene and returns this year to compete in Idaho for the first time since then. The Australian gave a talk to Team Blaze at Fleet Feet on Tuesday.

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:52 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:52:34 GMT
    Phil Kiver is one of three finalists for the Mariners in People Magazine's "Tribute to Heroes" campaign.
    Phil Kiver is one of three finalists for the Mariners in People Magazine's "Tribute to Heroes" campaign.

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:54:50 GMT
    We brought you the story of Amanda Lowrey in May, an Idaho mom that was a finalist for a reality TV show, "Extreme Huntress." After an online voting period, Lowrey is a finalist.
    We brought you the story of Amanda Lowrey in May, an Idaho mom that was a finalist for a reality TV show, "Extreme Huntress." After an online voting period, Lowrey is a finalist.
    •